IN FOCUS: DNR Launches Statewide Sustainable Recreation Planning Process.
Source Link: https://www.dnr.wa.gov/news/dnr-launches-statewide-sustainable-recreation-planning-process
The Outdoor Access and Responsible Recreation Strategic Plan is intended to guide development and funding requests as Washington state adapts to increased public use and climate change
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is launching the development process for a statewide sustainable recreation plan this month to create a useable, actionable vision to guide the development and management of outdoor access and recreation activities on DNR-managed public lands.
DNR is launching the Outdoor Access and Responsible Recreation Strategic Plan process by engaging with Tribes starting this month. The outcomes of this work will then guide a work group process planned for this winter with stakeholders and interested parties. A pair of public town halls, also planned for this winter, will solicit broad input on the responsible and sustainable use of DNR-managed land for generations to come. The final plan will be used to support potential statutory and legislative budget requests and set agency recreation management priorities over the next decade.
Recreational use demand on DNR-managed lands is growing briskly – including a 21 percent increase in visitation from 2019 to 2020 – creating increasing pressures that affect visitor experience, natural and cultural resources, Tribal rights, recreation site maintenance and safety, biodiversity and wildlife, and more. The strategic plan will allow DNR to adapt to this increased use, continuing population growth, and climate change to ensure that natural, cultural, and Tribal resources are protected as the agency offers high-quality and accessible recreation opportunities across Washington state.
“Washington state has some of the best outdoor recreation on Earth, and some of its greatest treasures – including Oyster Dome, Mount Si, and Gothic Basin – are on DNR-managed lands,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, who oversees the department. “As both their popularity and our population increase, we need to ensure we can protect these amazing places so that present and future generations can enjoy them. The Outdoor Access and Responsible Recreation Plan will build a framework to maintain and develop opportunities to get outdoors throughout the state that are consistent with our values as Washingtonians.”
The framework for the plan is built around five draft goals:
Preserve and protect the natural environment and cultural resources
Build an outdoor stewardship and responsibility ethic to care for these resources
Increase equitable outdoor access and responsible recreation development, stewardship, and management
Secure financial stability for recreation development, stewardship, and management
Mitigate climate impacts and build resilience
DNR anticipates convening five work groups – one work group for each of the draft goals – to brainstorm, identify, and prioritize ways to meet the goals. DNR has invited parties with an interest in or experience with statewide recreation management to participate in the work group process. As part of this process, DNR is engaging with groups that advocate for traditionally underserved communities to ensure their voices are heard as the plan is developed.
After completing the work group process and initial public meetings, DNR plans to release the draft Outdoor Access and Responsible Recreation Strategic Plan for public comment in spring 2024, with final publication expected by late summer.
For members of the general public, DNR plans to hold virtual public town halls this winter to collect initial input for development of the plan as well as public meetings in 2024 to review and collect feedback on a completed draft plan.
Across the 5.6 million acres of public lands it manages statewide, DNR offers 1,300 miles of developed trails and more than 160 recreation sites, including 80 campgrounds.
For more information about the plan, including details on the town hall meetings, go to https://www.dnr.wa.gov/staterecplan
2) EPA Issues Final Rule to Strengthen Water Protections, Support Clear and Timely Reviews of Infrastructure and Development Projects.
Source link: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-issues-final-rule-strengthen-water-protections-support-clear-and-timely-reviews
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule to restore the fundamental authority granted by Congress to states, territories, and Tribes to protect water resources that are essential to healthy people and thriving communities. The agency’s final Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification Improvement Rule will support clear, efficient, and focused water quality reviews of infrastructure and development projects that are key to economic growth.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to supporting economically secure, healthy, and sustainable communities” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “To achieve this goal, we must protect our water resources while also making investments that move our nation forward. With EPA’s final Clean Water Act Section 401 rule, we are affirming the authority of states, territories, and Tribes to protect precious water resources while advancing federally permitted projects in a transparent, timely, and predictable way.”
“Clean water is critical to the health and success of our communities,” said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. “This rule will help provide North Carolina with the ability to protect our water quality and strengthen our infrastructure.”
“Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act gives states and Tribes an important role regarding federally licensed or permitted projects. As Attorney General, I stood up to efforts to undermine this and now, as Governor, I'm grateful to see it restored," said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. “Massachusetts thanks the U.S. EPA for strengthening the partnership envisioned by the Clean Water Act with today’s rule, helping us fulfill our commitment to protecting waterways across Massachusetts.”
“Connecticut is very happy to see EPA release this final rule,” Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said. “We thank EPA for partnering with states to protect our vital water resources while enabling us to move forward quickly on our critical infrastructure projects.”
“EPA’s action will better protect New Mexico’s water quality at a time when federal and state protections are needed most,” said New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “New Mexico must do all it can to protect our most precious resource - our water.”
“In my state, clean water is the keystone of our economy - from tourism to seafood to small business growth," said Maryland Governor Wes Moore. "I applaud the Biden Administration's commitment to working in partnership with state leaders to protect our waters from harmful pollution. By collaborating across all levels of government, we will build cleaner and more economically vibrant communities that benefit everyone for decades to come."
“DEC applauds the Biden-Harris Administration and EPA Administrator Regan for continuing to prioritize the protection of water quality and giving states a critical role in protecting our natural resources,” said New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos. “New York State will fully review the final requirements announced today and continue working with EPA to further implement this and other proven Clean Water Act initiatives.”
"This new rule will allow states to fulfill the role Congress established for them in the Clean Water Act to protect water quality within their borders," said Laura Watson, director of the Washington Department of Ecology. "I applaud EPA's willingness to work with states and restore the partnership that Congress designed."
“The Clean Water Act has been a valuable tool for states to protect their waters,” said Environmental Council of States Executive Director Ben Grumbles. “We appreciate EPA’s renewed engagement under section 401 and will continue to strive for regulatory partnerships that safeguard states’ rights and clean water.”
For 50 years, the Clean Water Act has protected water resources that are essential to thriving communities, vibrant ecosystems, and sustainable growth. This final rule strengthens that foundation while recognizing the essential partnership among the federal government, states, territories, and Tribes in protecting our waters.
Clean Water Act Section 401 enables states, territories, and authorized Tribes to protect their water quality from adverse impacts of construction or operation of federally permitted projects. Under Section 401 of the Act, a federal agency may not issue a license or permit to conduct any activity that may result in any discharge into a water of the United States, unless the appropriate state, territory, or authorized Tribe issues a CWA Section 401 water quality certification or waives certification. EPA’s 2023 rule realigns the scope of Section 401 certification with decades of established practice and restores and strengthens the role of states, territories, and authorized Tribes.
The rule enhances certification review and provides regulatory certainty to advance federally permitted projects. For example, the rule establishes a 6-month default timeframe (when the federal agency and certifying authority fail to reach an agreement) and a 1-year maximum timeframe for certification review (the statutory maximum). The rule emphasizes that states, territories, and Tribes may only consider the adverse water quality-impacts from the activity. To limit delays, the rule also provides a clear approach to defining the required contents in a request for certification.
For more information, including a pre-publication version of the Federal Register notice, fact sheets, and information on upcoming trainings on the final rule, visit EPA’s CWA section 401 website.
Background
Executive Order 13990 on Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis directed EPA to review and, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, take action to revise or replace the 2020 CWA Section 401 Certification Rule. On June 2, 2022, EPA announced the signing of a proposed rule to update the regulatory requirements for water quality certification under Clean Water Act Section 401. EPA conducted pre-proposal engagement and provided a 60-day public comment period on the proposed rule to help inform the content of the final rule.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETING
Clallam County work session for 9/18/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09182023-940
Clallam County Commission meeting for 9/19/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09192023-941
Clallam County Board of Health for 9/19/23
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09192023-942
City of Port Angeles Council meeting 9/19/23
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/13504/CC-Agenda-Packet-09142023
OMC BOARD MEETING for 9/20/23
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 9/18/23
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/3f41752f-0a50-4510-83d9-2a523a204478
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA for 9/18/23
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=3542
Port of Port Townsend Commission meeting for 9/13/23
https://portofpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2023-09-13-CommMtg-Agenda.pdf
Weekly devotional
BIBLE VERSE: James 3:13 (New International Version)
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Weekly Bible Lesson:
Creation Versus Evolution
Creation is an important topic in the Scriptures. It is not a difficult subject to study nor is it difficult to determine the teaching of creation in the Bible. The great Book of God opens with this clearly stated sentence, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). In Exodus 20:11, the Bible states: “For in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day.” The Psalmist declared the glory of the Creator and His creation by writing--TFTW
https://truthfortheworld.org/creation-versus-evolution
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)
http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)
1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
The Chosen: About the life of Christ
https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen
THIS WEEK'S VIDEOS
The 'National Emergencies' Coming to Give Dems Even MORE Power.
The government overreach happening in America is getting more blatant. Does the Left think we won't fight back, or are the elites just getting arrogant? On today's Friday Exclusive, Glenn goes through the various ways the government is infringing on your rights, including your right to bear arms, freedom of speech, and a two-tiered justice system. Also, BlazeTV host Matt Kibbe joins in-studio to go over the Biden administration's assault on the American people and the "emergencies" coming down the pipeline to give the Democrats more power, including a possible economic emergency and another COVID-19 power grab. Also, Glenn and Matt debate whether America has officially fallen into fascism and banana republic territory. Lastly, will Dr. Fauci be held accountable for his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic? Matt Kibbe explains why he believes the Deep State might finally be done with the controversial doctor and who he would be interested in for president.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZS53vnfmhU
Sunday Worship - 09/10/2023--Four Lakes Church of Christ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DPdctGoC6s
NIGHT OWL COMICS PRESENTS: THE ANICENTS
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Chapter 4: Foothold.
In the lair of the Fifth, a giant subject inside the alien transformation chamber was being formed inside it, one of the blue alien minions of the fifth was being transformed into a giant cyclops, sacrificing himself to under go this transformation into another life form. The commander Four came to the laboratory where this was being done and asked, “Is he ready yet?”
Read the full story: https://pjrnightowlcomics.blogspot.com/
The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley
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